Valley Hang Glider Raises Alarms by Hovering Over Jail

Sheriff’s deputies today are trying to determine why a Northridge man flew his motorized hang glider near the restricted air space around the Peter J. Pitches Detention Center.

Deputies with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station began following the hang glider shortly after 5:30 p.m. Monday when it appeared to be hovering over the jail, department officials said in a statement.

“The aircraft’s unusual proximity to the jail and the possible intentions of the pilot necessitated investigation,” according to the statement.

A sheriff’s helicopter crew used their siren and public address system to force the pilot to land. It took more than 10 minutes for the man, later identified as a 67-year-old Northridge resident, to land near the Tapia Canyon Paintball Center in Castaic.

Deputies tracked the hang glider as it flew along several jail access roads, but not directly over the jail. They were concerned the man was planning to drop contraband into the jail yard.

The man was questioned at the scene, but was released without further incident. His name was not released.

The case remains under investigation.

City News Service; Photo: www.public-domain-image.com/